Places to visit in Rajasthan

The resplendent palace has striking features such as the beautiful arches, swing, pillars, corridors, ornamented gates, marble jaalis, the watch tower, elegant courtyards, scenic gardens, lake and well manicured flowerbeds and shrubs. The entrance of the palace, Singh Pol is named after the lion sculpted on the archway.  The design of the garden is believed to be inspired by the Mughal Charbagh which four gardens interspersed by a walkway. The fort is decked with 900 fountains which were supplied with water from two big water tanks - Rup Sagar and Gopal Sagar flanked on either side of the palace with the aim to bring down the temperature during the summers. Rajasthan has more history than the entire country put together – it is the realm of erstwhile Maharajas and their lavish palaces and majestic forts.

The fort is divided into several mansions namely:

Gopal Bhavan - this is one of the finest mansion in Deeg Fort. Its reflection in the surrounding water gives it a glistening ambience. The Bhavan has a remarkably impressive interior with a palanquin roof and an unobstructive view of the charbagh. Apart from this, the Bhawan also has two small edifices called Sawan and Bhadon in the north and south side respectively. The king is believed to have resided in this bhavan.

Suraj Bhavan – One of the beautiful mansion in the palace complex, it was built by Surajmal. It has a verandah with five arched opening and corner rooms on each side. The bhavan is built with buff sandstone on which white marble was encased subsequently.

Kisan Bhavan - Situated on the southeast side of the palace complex, this meeting hall is a well-decorated mansion which has a paneled facade that is broken by five large central archways adorned with a series of fountains on the terrace.

 Hardev Bhawan - The Hardev Bhawan lies behind Suraj Bhawan and has a vast garden on the front which is laid out out in Mughal charbagh style.

Keshav Bhavan – the monsoon pavilion, it is the the most fascinating bhavan of Deeg Palace and stands next to the Rup Sagar. An arcade runs around the interior of the pavilion over the fountains and a canal, the walls of which are pierced with hundreds of minute water jets. The fountain spray and the jets create a monsoon-like ambience that is enhanced by a unique technique that produces thunder-like sound all around the pavilion. Hundreds of metal balls placed strategically on the channel surrounding the roof are set rolling with the water pressure which results in a thunderous effect. 

Nand Bhawan - Located on the north side of the central garden, this is a large oblong hall that is raised on a terrace and enclosed by a garden of seven openings.

Purana Mahal - Built by Badan Singh, Purana Mahal is planned as a spacious rectangle with an interior consisting of two separate courts. It continues the tradition of a typical palace. It has impressive exterior. The arches are both of engrailed and pointed types.The royal abodes are planned along the periphery of the central garden and flanked by two reservoirs i.e. the Rup Sagar on the east and the Gopal Sagar on the west.

The best time to visit Deeg is between September to March as it faces harsh summers with temperatures rising to nearly 50 degrees.

Location

Deeg Palace, Deeg, Rajasthan 321203

 https://www.google.co.in/maps/place/Jal+Mahal+Deeg/@27.4719543,77.3224472,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x39730451c50b35af:0xc9f1b2d4628b27eb!8m2!3d27.4719543!4d77.3246359

Highlights

1. It is a symphonic blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture.
2. A magnificent palace, it is surrounded by the fortress and a deep moat to keep invaders at bay.
3. The palace was constructed out of red stone and marble.
4. The boat shaped edifice Sawan and Bhadon is a craftsmanship marvel through which water runs from a chute through each of the structures and falls onto a verandah.

Recommended For

A perfect weekend getaway and opportunity to explore of the Rajasthan’s royal palace and heritage

How to get to Deeg 

Air: The nearest airport is the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi and Kheria Airport, Agra. From there a cab can be hired to reach Deeg.

Train: The nearest station is Bharatpur station which is well connected with major cities of India. From there a cab can hired to reach Deeg directly.

Road: Numerous private and state buses from Bharatpur go to Deeg. You can also hire private car and cab to reach deeg.

Interesting Facts About Deeg 

1. The Deeg Palace is also known as ‘Jal Mahal’ meaning the water palace
2. Some of the materials used to construct the palace, antiques and a huge cannon were brought from Red Fort in Agra when Maharaj Suraj Mal attacked and looted it after the battle.
3. The ideology behind 900 fountains was to lower the temperature of the fort

Venture to the Bala Quila Fort which is located above the city palace on a hill of the Aravalli range. It was built in the 15 century by Hasan Khan Mewati and was later possessed by Marathas, Yadavas and Kachwaha Rajputs. The fort is a massive imposing structure stretching 5km long from north to south and 1.6 km width from east to west. It has 6 gates - Jai Pol, Suraj Pol, Laxman Pol, Chand Pol, Krishen Pol and Andheri Gate - and around 15 large and 51 small towers. 304 meters above sea level, it offers a spectacular view of Alwar. Rajasthan has more history than the entire country put together – it is the realm of erstwhile Maharajas and their lavish palaces and majestic forts.

The best time to visit Neemrana Fort is September to March. Though, it is pleasant throughout the year as it is set amidst greenery, the mercury dips during the winter season making it a more comfortable experience.

Location

15th Century, Delhi-Jaipur Highway, 122nd Milestone, Delhi-Jaipur Highway, Neemrana, Alwar, Rajasthan 301705

https://www.google.co.in/maps/place/Neemrana+Fort-Palace/@27.9939425,76.3860546,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m8!3m7!1s0x3912ab350b1661cf:0x3a7316188a19f5ee!5m2!1s2018-06-29!2i4!8m2!3d27.9939425!4d76.3882433

Highlights

1. Neemrana Fort is a resplendent palace and an architectural wonder with the most astounding hanging gardens perched on a hilltop overlooking the landscape that changes colours with the seasons.
2. Thrill seekers can zip line from the fort and soak in the breathtaking marvelous view from above.
3. Visit the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary for a scintillating experience of witnessing diverse species of animals and birds.
4. The Bala Quila fort is a must to view the entire city of Alwar

Recommended For

A perfect weekend getaway and to explore a royal heritage in the regal state of Rajasthan.

How to get to Neemrana Fort

Air: The nearest airport is the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi at a distance of 96 km. A cab can be hired from there to Neemrana Fort

Train: The nearest station is Alwar station and a short taxi ride from there to Neemrana

Road: Neemrana is situated on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway and is accessible via bus, taxi and car.

Interesting Facts About Neemrana Fort

1. In 2000 Neemrana won the Intach-Satte award for restoration & tourism for ‘being the foremost example of how we can pick architectural treasures from the national dustbin and turn them around... Neemrana has become synonymous with ‘restoration for re-use.’ 
2. In 2004, Neemrana was nominated for the Aga Khan Award. 
3. Some of the movies shot at the fort are Major Saab, Dil Se and Phillauri

The Bhangarh Fort, however, is infamous due to its top ranking status as the most haunted place in India and a hub for paranormal activities. The fort symbolizes spine chilling tales related to curses, legends and folklores.  Visitors and locals have attested to witnessing ghosts and other supernatural experiences at the fort and feeling restless and anxious due to an eerie feeling of a presence following them. Rajasthan has more history than the entire country put together – it is the realm of erstwhile Maharajas and their lavish palaces and majestic forts.

There are several peculiar legends surrounding the fort and these myths are so pervasive that the entire town has been abandoned by the locals and villages have sprung up far from the fort. Two legends that stand out are:

The curse –  King Madho Singh had decided to raise his fort where Guru Bhalu Nath abided. He took the permission from the ascetic and was granted the same on the condition that it should not cast a shadow on his dwelling. As fate would have it, the fortification of the palace by Madho’s descendants eclipsed his abode thereby angering the ascetic and destroying the entire city with his curse.  Since then any house built around the area would face the collapsing of its roof.  

Princess Ratnavati and Singhia – The princess of Bhangarh, Ratnavati was immensely beautiful and had caught the attention of a black magician, Singhia. Smitten by her beauty, he attempted to lure her by casting a spell on her hair oil. When Ratnavati came to know about this, she threw the oil on a big boulder which rolled down and crushed Singhia. Before dying, he cursed the fort and the town to death with no rebirths. The following year, a war ensued between Bhangarh and Ajabgarh and the entire army along with the royal clan was destroyed and the town massacred.

Tourists are allowed to visit Bhangarh Fort during daytime and can experience what was once upon a time a buzzing prosperous kingdom. The premises of this ruined haunted fort now contain the fort walls, numerous palaces, jauhari bazaar (marketplace), nachan ki haveli and a Muslim tomb. The royal palace had seven storeys out of which only four remain. The township was protected by three fortifications with the outermost fortification provided with five gateways from north to south – Ajmeri, Lahori, Hanuman, Phool Bari and Delhi Gate. The top of the fort offers a magnificent view of the entire city.

There are several temples inside the precinct of Bhangarh fFort and outside built in the beautiful nagara style architecture such as Hanuman Temple, Mangla Devi Temple, Gopinath Temple, Keshav Rai Temple, Someshwar Temple, Ganesh Temple and Navin Temple. The locals believe it protects them from the supernatural.

The Archaeological Survey of India keeping the safety of the visitors in mind, has put up an advisory board prohibiting access to the area after sunset and that trespassers will attract a strict legal action.

Many tourists and locals have claimed to have heard strange noises, screams, seen ghostly shadows at the windows and even reported of music and dance coming from the palace. Some of the incidents heard are that two boys went to the fort after sunset and decided to stay the night. They were never to be seen again. Another incident suggests that a group of boys went with a torch to the fort and one of them fell into the steep well. He was rescued by his two friends and were rushing to the hospital when all three of them died in a freak road accident. In a yet another incident, it has been reported that a shadow of a person can be seen from one of the rooms in the fort which has a grilled window and no door.

Deemed as the most haunted palace, it makes Bhangarh Fort attractive for a lot of tourists and Ghostbusters.

Location

Gola ka baas, Rajgarh Tehsil, Alwar, Bhangarh, Rajasthan 301410

https://www.google.co.in/maps/place/Bhangarh+Fort/@27.0964052,76.283982,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x396d8522c8a74f25:0x59400bd073d17528!8m2!3d27.0964052!4d76.2861707 

Recommended For

Adventure seekers, haunting & spooky experience seekers

How to get to Bhangarh Fort

Air: The closest airport is the Santander airport in Jaipur which is at a distance of 56kms from Bhangarh. From there, a cab can be hired to Bhangarh Fort.

Train: The closest railway station is the Dausa railway station located at a distance of 22kms.

Road: There are regular private and state bus services, cabs and private cars if you wish to travel by road.

Interesting Facts About Bhangarh Fort

• The town of Bhangarh existed during the time of Akbar’s Mughal era and is believed to be inhabited by a population of 10,000 people.
• The fort is locked at sunset and opens only the next morning due to the Archaeological Survey of India directive prohibiting entry post dusk.
• The fort has no electricity and acts as a night shelter for animals from the neighbouring forests. 
• The locals strongly believe in the existence of the supernatural at the fort.
• The nearby villages don’t have rooftops on their homes as it collapses if built.
• People who have visited the fort have felt anxious and restless due to the eerie feeling of a presence following them or looking at them.

Ajmer in Rajasthan is a well-connected city. It is connected to almost many famous cities in the country either by rail, road or air. 

By Air: The Jaipur airport is the closest to the city of Ajmer. From the airport, you can either hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the Ajmer Sharif Dargah.

By Rail: The Indian Railway Network is one of the most well-connected services in India. There would be regular trains from essential places in the country to Ajmer, either directly or by a change in two trains to help you reach the city. From the station, you can book a cab or take a local bus to reach the Ajmer Sharif Dargah.

By Road: Though hiring a cab is an option, it would be advised to take regular buses that ply between important cities to Ajmer regularly. There would be direct buses to Ajmer from Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer that will help you reach the destination. From the bus stop, you can take a taxi or another local bus to reach the Ajmer Dargah. 

Nevertheless, the ideal way to reach the Dargah would be to take a flight to Jaipur and take a bus from Jaipur to Ajmer. From there you can proceed either in a cab or a local bus. This is by far the most comfortable way to reach the Ajmer Dargah.

About Ajmer Dargah

Located about 2 kms away from the main Ajmer Railway Station, the Ajmer Sharif Dargah is a popular holy place in Ajmer. At the foot of the prestigious Taragarh Hill is this shrine located, which attracts pilgrims from various places across the country. It contains several buildings made of white marbles around the two courtyards and also includes a massive gate that is donated by the Nizam of Hyderabad and even the Akbari Mosque which was constructed by the prestigious Mughal Emperor named Shah Jahan. 

The Nizam Gate at the entrance is the main gate to the shrine which is followed by the Shahjahani Gate. Following this gate is the Buland Darwaza upon which the ‘urs’ flag is hoisted to mark the beginning of Moinuddin Chishti’s death anniversary rituals. The ‘urs’ for the Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti is celebrated every year on the 6th and 7th days of the Rajab. Dewan Syed Zainul Abedin is the present Spiritual Head of the shrine of Ajmer Dargah. He is the direct descendant of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti in the 22nd generation. Till date, around 150,000 pilgrims visit the dargah every single day as a mark of their gratitude towards the holy shrine. 

Apart from the dargah, you can also visit the Nasiyan Temple in Ajmer which is believed to be its Golden Temple. This two-story temple is a beautiful creation that is decorated beautifully with precious stones amidst pure gold and silver. You can also go on camel rides on the sands of Pushkar to explore the place in a much better way.

Interesting facts about Ajmer Dargah

• When Hazrat Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti was ruling the place, Dargah was the main source of water. One of the monuments inside the dargah known as the Jahalra was the primary source of water. Even today, it is used for all the rituals that were performed within the premises of the dargah.
• Out of all the residents, Muhammad Bin Tughluq was the first person to visit the prestigious Dargah Sharif of the Hazrat Khawaja Moinuddin Chishty Ajmeri in the year 1332.
• Devotional singers in the Ajmer Sharif’s hall dedicate qawwalis praising Allah after the namaaz is offered. This practice happens in the mehfil-e-same inside the Dargah.
• Long ago, a water carrier named Nizam Sikka had saved the life of the Mughal Emperor Humayun. As a token of gratitude, he was permitted to rule the Mughal Empire for an entire day. Till date, the tomb of Nizam Sikka exists within the Dargah Sharif.
• Inside the Dargah, a significant amount of food is prepared during the night and distributed to the public in the form of tabarruk. Tabarruk means a blessing which is given after the morning prayers.
• Over 33 Quranic verses alongside the 99 sacred names of Allah have been beautifully inscribed on the Jama Masjid, which is a treat to the eyes.

The illustrious fort of Chittorgarh is not only the pride of Chittorgarh and India but is also declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. Chittorgarh fort is a rare gem and attracts tourists from all over the world who get spellbound by this great infrastructure.  Many people call it Chittor Fort and amongst other forts, this is the largest. Situated in the town of Chittor, Chittorgarh fort is the capital of Mewar. Perched over a hill, the fort is spread across an area of 280 ha. The main reason the fort garners a lot of tourist attention is because it is also home to historical palaces, gates, temples and two commemorative towers. The sizable fort has many compelling stories and was also the source of inspiration for the 2018 blockbuster movie ‘Padmaavat’. Rajasthan has more history than the entire country put together – it is the realm of erstwhile Maharajas and their lavish palaces and majestic forts.

Chittorgarh Fort Entry Fees

Interesting facts about Chittorgarh Fort

• The Chittorgarh Fort appears in the shape of a fish when seen from a bird’s eye view.
• The fort is known as the largest one in India, comprising of 65 historic sites.
• Chittorgarh Fort gained a lot of popularity and attracted a lot of tourists for the Jauhar Kund. 

Chittorgarh Fort History

The intense history of Chittorgarh fort will definitely set the pulse racing for many tourists. According to legends, the fort was built by Chitrangada Maurya and is located 175 kilometers to the east of Udaipur. The fort signifies the courage and sacrifice of the Rajput. However, there are other stories revolving around the fort, one says that Bhima, one of the Pandavas, with all his accumulated strength hit the ground and from it a huge reservoir came into being. The water body created by Bhima is called Bhimlat Kund. The Chittorgarh Fort also popularly known as Water Fort and is home to 22 water bodies, palaces, towers and temples spread over 700 acres.

The fort was captured numerous times; the first one to lay his hands on the fort was Bappa Rawal of the Guhila dynasty, who defeated the Moris to capture the majestic fort. Another historical story suggests that the fort was under the Arabs and they were defeated by Bappa Rawal. The third story concludes that Bappa Rawal received the fort as dowry by the Moris after he got married to one of the princesses from their kingdom. The fort also witnessed the most epic battle in Indian history of Alauddin Khilji and King Ratnasimha that lasted for almost eight months. The Delhi Sultanate ruler Alauddin Khilji was brutal in his intent and massacred 30,000 Hindus after capturing the fort. He was smitten by the ravishing beauty Princess Padmini, who was married to King Ratnasimha. This evil motive of his led to the self-immolation (jauhar) of Queen Padmini, who refused to give in to his demands. His ego was shattered after he witnessed the sacrifice of Queen Padmini along with other women, however after his death; the fort was passed on to his son Khizr Khan.

The Rajputs were dominant in their endeavour to capture the fort and ultimately succeeded after Khizr Khan had no option but to surrender to Sonigra chief Maldeva. For a duration of seven years, the fort was under his control, but Hammir Singh of the Mewar Dynasty intervened and captured the fort. The Mewar Dynasty cherished every bit of ruling the fort and built an indomitable military under the reign of Rana Kumbha. But Rana Kumbha couldn’t sustain for long as his own son killed him to take control of it. After the crumbling of the Mewar Dynasty, Bahadur Shah rose to fame and captured the fort in 1535.

The year 1567 saw the rise of Emperor Akbar who wanted to take control of the whole India and became obsessed to capture the Chittorgarh Fort. Once his intention was set on conquering the fort, there was no looking back. Emperor Akbar defeated Rana Uday Singh II of the Mewar Dynasty in a battle that continued several months.

Infrastructure of Chittorgarh Fort

Perched atop a high hill of 180 meters and sprawling at 700 acres, it is a 13km long riveting sight to behold. A long road leads to the seven gates of the fort namely Ganesh gate, Hanuman gate, Padan gate, Jodla gate, Bhairon gate, Lakshman gate and the last and the main gate, Ram gate. The gates were built to protect it from attackers and invaders.

Tourist attractions at Chittorgarh

Vijay Stambha (Tower of Victory)

The tower was built by Maharana Kumbha as a mark of victory against Mohammed Khilji. Located at Chittorgarh Fort, this monumental structure has sculptures of Hindu deities. Tourists, who are fond of captivating sights, should head to the terrace balconies where they can get a riveting view of the full town. One can also capture images of Jain Goddess Padmavati. Also present at the site is the carved word ‘Allah’ in Arabic nine times.

Kirti Stambh (Tower of Fame)

To glorify the Jains, Kirti Stambh was built by Jain merchant Jeeja Bhagerwala. This structure is devoted to Adinathji, the first Jain Teerthankar and has figures of the Digambars.

Gaumukh Reservoir

Situated on the western side of the fort, Gaumukh Reservoir carries a holy significance. The reservoir is filled with the help of a cow’s mouth shaped structure from where water flows. According to many stories, devotees, who visit many shrines, should certainly visit Gaumukh Kund to complete their holy journey.

Rana Kumbha Palace

This palace is known for its brilliant architecture and history, and is named after the Sisodia Dynasty. Tourists will be enthralled to know that this is the same palace, where Queen Padmini amongst other women plunged into the pyre. It was also home to famous poet Meerabai.

Padmini Palace

The mesmerizing palace is as beautiful as Queen Padmini was. It is the same palace in which Queen Padmini along with King Ratan Singh lived. Also, Alauddin Khilji’s obsession for Queen Padmini began from here that lead to a war between him and Ratan Singh.

Meera Temple

The Meera Temple is dedicated to Meera Bai, and was built by Maharana Kumbha in 1449. Tourists seeking some peace of mind, should visit this beautiful temple, where Lord Vishnu is worshipped. The stunning temples is reminiscent of the Indo-Aryan architecture. The outside of the temple has a carved statue of 5 human structures, with just one head, signifying that people from all religion, culture and communities live in harmony.

Kalika Mata Temple

Built in the 14th century, the Kalika Mata Temple devoted to Goddess Kali has a magnificent architecture and fascinating art

Highlights of Chittorgarh Fort

The fort comprises of four palaces, nineteen temples, twenty water bodies and four memorials.

Fateh Prakash Palace is a modern style palace which was built by Maharana Fateh Singh. Located in the Chittorgarh Fort, the palace is now transformed into a government museum, and has a wide range of beautiful sculptures, ancient weapons such as daggers, knives, axes, helmets, shields and uniform of soldiers. This spectacular museum is also home to a Ganesh idol, a fountain and frescos.

At Mohan Magri, Satbis Deori is a beautiful temple, where Jains come for worship. The fort of Chittorgarh has 6 Jain temples with beautiful intricate carvings. Amongst the many temples, Bhagwan Adinatha with 52 devkulikas is the largest. 

How to Reach Chittorgarh Fort

By Air

Once tourists arrive at the Dabok Airport, they will be flown to Chittorgarh, which lies at a distance of just 90 kms.  Travelling by flight will save you a lot of time.

By Railways

If tourists are thinking of taking the train, then the rail network is well connected to numerous cities like Kota, Udaipur, Jaipur, Ajmer and Delhi. Another convenient and comfortable way of travelling, is boarding the Palace on Wheels, which too is connected to Chittorgarh station.

By Road

Tourists, who relish adventure and take pleasure in sweet time travel, can opt to travel to Chittorgarh through these routes: Jaipur (325 kilometers), Delhi (583 kilometers), Indoor (325 kilometers) and Ajmer (185 kilometers).

Situated in 18,700 square meters of area, Jantar Mantar is the most advanced observatory with 19 instruments with some of the largest built of it’s kind.  The instruments are capable of measuring time, predicting eclipses, track the location of stars as the earth orbits around the sun, establishing the declinations of planets and defining the celestial altitudes and related ephemerides. Some instruments could be used for both daytime and nighttime observations. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II decided to build the observatory instruments with stone and marble because stone can withstand extreme weather conditions and has a longer life compared to metal which wear and tear easily. Though, there are some instruments that are built from bronze. The observatory had around 20 permanent astronomers and was very active during the life of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Rajasthan has more history than the entire country put together – it is the realm of erstwhile Maharajas and their lavish palaces and majestic forts.

Location

Gangori Bazaar, J.D.A. Market, Kanwar Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302002 https://www.google.co.in/maps/place/Jantar+Mantar++Jaipur/@26.924762,75.8223713,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x396db14c7ff57069:0xe94a0429a18dabbe!8m2!3d26.924762!4d75.8245

Some of the interesting instruments at the observatory are:

1.Samrat Yantra -  The largest instrument, the Vrihat Samrat yantra is a sundial that can give the local time to an accuracy of 2 seconds. It is the largest sundial ever built with a gnomon arm 22.6-meter high and largest quadrants of radius 15.5 meter. The shadow of the triangular wall, which is placed in the north-south direction with an angle equal to the latitude of this location moves equal distances in equal time intervals, on the eastern and western side quadrants. This movement is calibrated to read the local time.

2.Small Samrat Yantra - The small samrat yantra is a sundial that can give the time to an accuracy of 20 seconds. The shadow of the triangular wall of the yantra, falling on the eastern & western side quadrants, tells the local time.

3.Kapala Yantra -  Kapal Yantra is able to record the co-ordinates of celestial bodies in both the azimuth-altitude and equatorial systems, and permits a direct visual transformation of the co-ordinates of any point in the sky between the two systems.

4.Rasivalaya - Rasivalaya are instruments for measuring the latitude and longitude of the celestial bodies. There are twelve instruments which represent the twelve signs of the zodiac, each becoming operative when a different one of the 12 zodiacal constellations straddles the meridian.

5.Unnatamsa - It is an instrument for measuring altitude or the angular height of an object in the sky. The large brass circle that hangs from the supporting beam is the measuring instrument of the Unnatamsa. The brass circle is pivoted to rotate freely around a vertical axis. A sighting tube is pivoted at the centre of the circle. It can be moved in the vertical direction to align it towards any celestial object.

6.Jaya Prakash Yantra – A highly innovative sundial, it is a representation of half celestial sphere rim which represents horizon for finding all the positions of the heavenly bodies. Its striped black and white appearance gives it an interesting appeal that makes it very popular amongst tourist.

Highlights

• The observatory is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list
• It is considered as one of the largest observatories ever built
• The samrat yantra is the biggest sundial in the world

Recommended For

Children and Adults

How to get to Jaipur 

Flight: The nearest airport is Jaipur International Airport, Jaipur. A cab can be hired from there directly to Jantar Mantar

Train: The closest station is Jaipur station. A cab can be hired from there directly to Jantar Mantar

Road: Several private and state buses run to Jaipur. Private car and taxi can also be hired to reach the place.

Timings

  9:00 am – 4:30 PM daily.

Interesting Facts About Jantar Mantar 

• These incredibly accurate devices were constructed by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, who considered date, star alignment and other celestial movements critical to predicting his fate and fortunes in wars and scheming.
• For collecting data Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II
• sent his emissaries to various parts of world. The emissaries came back with manuals and astronomical tables besides tonnes of data on the advances made in the fields of astronomy.
• The monument was damaged by its permanent abandonment in the 19th century. Some important restorations occurred in 1902, under British rule, giving it a new lease of life. Other restorative work occurred during the 20th century with the most recent in 2006-07.
• Jantar Mantar was designated a monument of national importance in 1968.